Kerevi keeps lid on future, says Reds can win title

Wed, Jan 23, 2019, 2:32 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Reds coach Brad Thorn has put his trust in centre Samu Kerevi to lead his side to the 2019 Super Rugby finals, at the least. Kerevi has bolder predictions for the team this season, insisting the Reds have what it takes it win the competition.

Newly minted Reds skipper Samu Kerevi has declared he wants to win a Super Rugby title as the leader of the Reds but has not made a decision as to whether he will remain at the club in 2020.

Kerevi has long been earmarked as a future captain of the club and was unveiled as coach Brad Thorn's new skipper on Wednesday in front of a big Brisbane media pack.

The star centre is one of Queensland and Australian rugby's most important players and is a natural fit as captain.

"It's a massive honour," he said.

"It felt surreal when Thorny came in and told me and told the boys and let the boys know.

"Queensland has a rich history of captains that have really served Queensland well and I want to do the same for the boys."

Kerevi has set his sights high in his first full year with the captaincy armband.

With his future beyond 2019 up in the air he wants immediate results with the Reds, declaring his belief in a group striving for a Super Rugby title.

"My focus is here, now, and I'm not going to shy away from it - I want to win a Super Rugby title and I want to win it with these boys right here.

"I believe it can happen and I believe in the group we have got.

"A lot of people say we don't have experience but the boys bring more than that in energy.

"We have young boys stepping up, pushing the boundaries at training and I believe we can win it."

The star centre will replace Scott Higginbotham as skipper.

It’s understood the veteran back rower will still form part of an extended leadership group.

The captaincy armband is not completely foreign to Kerevi, who has already led the team on seven separate occasions while one of James Slipper or Higginbotham have been absent.

Coach Brad Thorn’s youth first policy has left Kerevi standing as one of the most experienced heads in the side despite only making his Super Rugby debut in 2014.

He has been a force in the Queensland back line since that breakout season and is now an integral part of the Wallabies’ best 23.

Reds fans and QRU executives alike will be hoping the captaincy can keep Kerevi around beyond this season as there is a school of thought which places the centre outside of Australia come 2020.

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